Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
  • C10L—FUELS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NATURAL GAS; SYNTHETIC NATURAL GAS OBTAINED BY PROCESSES NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C10G, C10K; LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS; ADDING MATERIALS TO FUELS OR FIRES TO REDUCE SMOKE OR UNDESIRABLE DEPOSITS OR TO FACILITATE SOOT REMOVAL; FIRELIGHTERS
  • C10L5/00—Solid fuels
  • C10L5/40—Solid fuels essentially based on materials of non-mineral origin
  • C10L5/44—Solid fuels essentially based on materials of non-mineral origin on vegetable substances
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J3/00—Processes of utilising sub-atmospheric or super-atmospheric pressure to effect chemical or physical change of matter; Apparatus therefor
  • B01J3/04—Pressure vessels, e.g. autoclaves
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J8/00—Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particles; Apparatus for such processes
  • B01J8/08—Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particles; Apparatus for such processes with moving particles
  • B01J8/085—Feeding reactive fluids
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J8/00—Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particles; Apparatus for such processes
  • B01J8/08—Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particles; Apparatus for such processes with moving particles
  • B01J8/10—Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particles; Apparatus for such processes with moving particles moved by stirrers or by rotary drums or rotary receptacles or endless belts
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
  • C10L—FUELS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NATURAL GAS; SYNTHETIC NATURAL GAS OBTAINED BY PROCESSES NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C10G, C10K; LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS; ADDING MATERIALS TO FUELS OR FIRES TO REDUCE SMOKE OR UNDESIRABLE DEPOSITS OR TO FACILITATE SOOT REMOVAL; FIRELIGHTERS
  • C10L9/00—Treating solid fuels to improve their combustion
  • C10L9/08—Treating solid fuels to improve their combustion by heat treatments, e.g. calcining
  • C10L9/086—Hydrothermal carbonization
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J2208/00—Processes carried out in the presence of solid particles; Reactors therefor
  • B01J2208/00008—Controlling the process
  • B01J2208/00539—Pressure
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J2208/00—Processes carried out in the presence of solid particles; Reactors therefor
  • B01J2208/00796—Details of the reactor or of the particulate material
  • B01J2208/00823—Mixing elements
  • B01J2208/00831—Stationary elements
  • B01J2208/0084—Stationary elements inside the bed, e.g. baffles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J2208/00—Processes carried out in the presence of solid particles; Reactors therefor
  • B01J2208/00796—Details of the reactor or of the particulate material
  • B01J2208/00823—Mixing elements
  • B01J2208/00858—Moving elements
  • B01J2208/00867—Moving elements inside the bed, e.g. rotary mixer
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J2208/00—Processes carried out in the presence of solid particles; Reactors therefor
  • B01J2208/00796—Details of the reactor or of the particulate material
  • B01J2208/00823—Mixing elements
  • B01J2208/00858—Moving elements
  • B01J2208/00876—Moving elements outside the bed, e.g. rotary mixer
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
  • Y02E50/00—Technologies for the production of fuel of non-fossil origin
  • Y02E50/10—Biofuels, e.g. bio-diesel
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
  • Y02E50/00—Technologies for the production of fuel of non-fossil origin
  • Y02E50/30—Fuel from waste, e.g. synthetic alcohol or diesel

Definitions

• the present invention relates generally to a hydrothermal process for the preparation of coal-like material from biomass, more particularly to an improved and quicker process yielding the coal-like material in enhanced space- time yield, and which, moreover, allows for enhanced quality control of the final product, as well as improved reproducibility. Also, the process of the invention is advantageous in that it is simpler and consumes less energy than the hydrothermal processes of the prior art.
• the current invention relates to a column, preferably an evaporation column comprising rotatable elements that can be used with benefit in the hydrothermal process of the invention.
• the optimum reaction conditions involve heating biomass dispersion under weakly acidic conditions in a closed reaction vessel for 4 - 24 h to temperatures of around 200 0 C.
• the HTC of biomass to give coal-like materials was carried out as a one-step batch process.
• WO 2008/138637 relates to a process for the preparation of coal or humus from biomass by hydrothermal carbonization.
• the process is characterized in that the internal temperature of the reactor is controlled by discharging reaction heat from the reactor in the form of steam.
• the steam can also be used to heat the biomass in a pre-heating unit arranged upstream of the reactor.
• a further object resides in a process which is improved in terms of heat management.
• a still further object is the provision of a column, preferably an evaporation column suitable for use in the hydrothermal process of the invention.
• the present inventors have found that the above objects can be achieved by a process for the preparation of coal-like material from biomass as defined in claim 1.
• the claimed process involves the heating of the reaction mixture comprising biomass with steam, which is moving counter- currently relative to the reaction mixture. During the heating, the biomass is activated.
• the activation will occasionally be referred to as the first step of the process, hereinafter.
• the activated biomass is subsequently polymerized to give coal- like material.
• the polymerization will sometimes be referred to as a second step of the process of the invention in this specification.
• the HTC process of the invention can be run energetically self-sufficient during stable operation.
• Another aspect of the invention relates to a column, preferably an evaporation column.
• the column in accordance with the invention which will be further described below, allows for the safe conveyance without clogging, of more viscous fluids, such as slurries, downwards the column, while the more viscous fluids can be brought in contact with less viscous fluids moving upwards the column. For these reasons, the hydrothermal process for the preparation of coal-like material in accordance with the present invention can be carried out in said column with benefit.
• the column comprises at least one mass transfer tray (sieve plate) that is disposed within a housing of the column and has a plurality of perforations, the perforations providing exclusive means of communicating between the space above the mass transfer tray and the space below; at least one rotor shaft passing through a rotor shaft opening in the mass transfer tray; at least one upper rotor element mounted on the rotor shaft and being disposed above the mass transfer tray, wherein the upper rotor element is arranged so as to transfer a reaction mixture, for instance a reaction mixture comprising biomass through the perforations to the space below the mass transfer tray; and the housing provided at its upper end with an upper inlet (feed) and upper outlet and, at its lower end, with a lower inlet and lower outlet, the upper inlet and lower outlet permitting more viscous fluid to be introduced into the column and to be taken therefrom, and the lower inlet and upper outlet permitting less viscous fluid to be introduced into the column and to be taken therefrom.
• a reaction mixture for instance a reaction mixture comprising biomass
• the at least one mass transfer tray and the at least one rotor shaft are oriented in a first and second direction perpendicular to each other. More preferably, the at least one mass transfer tray is oriented horizontally (first direction ⁇ , and the at least one rotor shaft is oriented vertically (second direction) , wherein the horizontal and vertical orientations refer to the positioning of the mass transfer tray(s) and rotor shaft (s) when the column is in use.
• the column of the invention can be described as follows. It has a longitudinal extension and a first end and a second end.
• the at least one horizontally oriented mass transfer tray having a plurality of perforations is preferably oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal extension, and the at least one rotor shaft passing through a rotor shaft opening in the mass transfer tray is preferably oriented along the longitudinal extension of the column.
• the perforations in the mass transfer tray(s) provide exclusive means of communicating between the opposite sides of the mass transfer tray.
• At least one first rotor element is mounted on the rotor shaft on the side of the mass transfer tray facing zhe first end of the column.
• the first rotor element can also be referred to as the upper rotor element. It is arranged such that it is capable of transferring a reaction mixture through the perforations of the mass transfer tray to the opposite side of the tray facing the second end of the column.
• the column further comprises a housing, preferably a longitudinal housing, within which the at least one mass transfer tray is disposed.
• the housing is provided both at its first end and at its second end with at least one inlet and at least one outlet. The first end of the housing is facing the first end of the column, and the second end of the housing the second end of the column.
• che inlet (s) and outlet (s) at the first end of the housing can also be referred to as upper inlet (s) and upper outlet (s), and the inlet (s) and outlet (s) at the second end of the housing as lower inlet (s) and lower outlet (s) .
• the upper inlet and lower outlet permit more viscous fluid, such as slurries, co be introduced into the column and to be taken therefrom, and the lower inlet and upper outlet permit specifically less viscous fluid, such as steam to be introduced into the column and to be taken therefrom.
• the column of the invention further comprises at least one second rotor element mounted on the rotor shaft. It is mounted on the rotor shaft on the side of the mass transfer tray facing the second end of the column.
• the second rotor element (s) can also be called lower rotor element (s) because they are positioned lower than the respective first or upper rotor element while the column is in use.
• the second rotor element is arranged such that it is capable of scraping off the reaction mixture being transferred through the perforations in the mass transfer tray.
• the above “more viscous fluid” refers to the reaction mixture comprising biomass
• the above “less viscous fluid” refers to steam.
• the above column can be used in the hydrothermal process of the invention with particular benefit in that it can ensure a sufficient contact and heat transfer between the steam generated in the exothermic polymerization of the activated biomass, and the reaction mixture comprising biomass, which are moving counter-currently. Also, a residence time of the reaction mixture comprising biomass, the biomass slurry, in the order of several minutes can be achieved in the column of the present invention. Moreover, the inventive column ensures a safe conveyance of the biomass slurry without any clogging of the reactor.
• the process for the preparation of coal-like material according to the present invention can be referred to as a hydrothermal process, in particular as a hydrothermal carbonisation, in short HTC process.
• This terminology is intended to show that the process involves the heating of a reaction mixture comprising water and will yield carbonized coal-like material.
• biomass as used herein is broadly understood as encompassing all kinds of plant and animal material and material derived from the same. According to a preferred embodiment, biomass as meant in the present specification shall not include petroleum or petroleum derived products .
• the biomass for use in the present invention may comprise macromolecular compounds, examples of which are lignin and polysaccharides, such as starch, cellulose, and glycogen.
• lignin and polysaccharides such as starch, cellulose, and glycogen.
• cellulose is intended to encompass hemicelluloses commonly also referred to as polyoses ,
• biomass may include both, plant and animal -derived material.
• manure (dung), night soil and sewage sludge can be mentioned.
• the biomass for use in the present invention is preferably plant biomass, i.e. biomass of or derived from plants, certain contents of animal biomass (i.e. biomass of or derived from animals) may be present therein.
• the biomass may contain up to 30 % of animal biomass .
• the biomass for use in the present invention which is preferably plant biomass, contains more than 70 wt%, most preferably > 90 wt%, of polysaccharides and lignines in terms of the solid contents of the bior ⁇ ass.
• the plant biomass may be agricultural plant material (e.g. agricultural wastes) or all kinds of wood material .
• biomass examples include crop, agricultural food and waste, feed crop residues, wood (such as wood flour, wood waste, scrap wood, sawdust, chips and discards) , straw (including rice straw) , grass, leaves, chaff, and bagasse.
• wood such as wood flour, wood waste, scrap wood, sawdust, chips and discards
• straw including rice straw
• grass leaves, chaff, and bagasse.
• industrial and municipal wastes, including waste paper can be exemplified.
• biomass as used herein preferably also includes monosaccharides such as glucose, ribose, xylose, arabinose, mannose, galactose, fructose, sorbose, fucose and rhamnose, as well as oligosaccharides.
• coal-like material refers to a material, which is similar to natural coal in terms of property and texture. Owing to the method of the preparation thereof, it may also be referred to as hydrothermal coal. It is a product, more precisely a carbonized product, that is obtained or obtainable by the hydrothermal carbonization process of the present invention.
• the coal-like material can be distinguished from synthetic resins, including those synthetic resins, which have been prepared using monomers obtained from lignocellulosic material, such as phenolic resins, and in particular novolac-type phenolic resins.
• synthetic resins are preferably not encompassed by the expression "coal-like material” as used herein.
• the coal-like material obtained in the process of the present invention typically comprises, without limitation, ⁇ 70 wt% carbon, for example 60 to 65 wt% carbon, as can be determined by elemental analysis (combustion) .
• the coal-like material as meant herein is more aliphatic than e.g.
• the coal-like material obtained in the hydrothermal carbonisation process of the present invention has a high calorific value, for instance > 23 MJ/kg, preferably 20 to 32 MJ/kg.
• the calorific value of the coal-like material can be determined by standard calorimetric analysis.
• the hydrothermal process of the invention is preferably carried out in a single reactor, especially a vertically oriented evaporation column, and optionally the polymerization of the activated biomass is completed in a second separate reactor being connected to that single reactor, wherein the second separate reactor is preferably a conveyor screw reactor.
• the reaction mixture comprising biomass to be heated by contacting with steam comprises water.
• the step of heating the reaction mixture by contacting with steam to activate the biomass is also referred to as the "first" step.
• At least part of the steam is generated in the exothermic polymerization of the activated biomass, which preferably takes place in the swamp section of a vertically oriented evaporation column.
• additional steam from external sources can be introduced, such as in particular during process start-up operations but also during stable operation if so desired.
• the additional injection of steam may be unnecessary in stable operation where the process of the present invention can be run energetically self-sufficient .
• the contact of the reaction mixture comprising biomass with the steam preferably takes place in a section of the evaporation column that is provided with actuating elements disposed within the column, which will be sometimes referred to below as "column interiors" or “column internals”.
• the residence time of the reaction mixture comprising biomass in this column internal section is preferably in the range of 3 to 5 min . Thereby, the above residence time is preferably counted from the moment when the reaction mixture comprising biomass has reached a temperature of at least 18O 0 C, more preferably at least a temperature which is 15 0 C below the internal column temperature.
• the polymerization of the activated biomass to give coal-like material in the second step takes place in the swamp section of the evaporation column.
• the "swamp section" of the column preferably refers to che section of the column, which, when the column is used in the hydrothermal process of the invention, accommodates the reaction mixture comprising activated biomass, and in which section the polymerization to give a reaction mixture comprising coal-like material takes place.
• the residence time of the activated biomass in the swamp section is preferably 1 to 20 min, more preferably 3 to 13 min.
• the reaction mixture comprising coal-like material obtained from the second step, which additionally comprises non-reacted activated biomass is fed to a separate reactor, which is preferably a pressure-resistant horizontal conveyor screw reactor, in which the polymerization of the activated biomass is completed.
• the residence time of the reaction mixture in the above separate reactor is preferably 30 to 120 min, more preferably 60 to 90 min.
• the pressure in the separate reactor is preferably set to be lower than in the evaporation column.
• the temperature can be lowered through the pressure reduction with ease and without the need of heat exchangers.
• the temperature in the separate reactor is adjusted with benefit by means of a lower pressure to lie within the preferred range of 160 0 C to below 200 0 C (at corresponding pressures of 6 to 15 bar) , or within the more preferred range of 170 to 190 0 C.
• the mechanism of the activation of the biomass when being heated by contacting with steam is assumed to be as follows.
• the macromolecular species e.g. the polysaccharides contained in or constituting the biomass may be molten or dissolved in water.
• cellulose contained in the biomass which is a crystalline material, will be molten in water.
• the polysaccharides can be disintegrated or broken down to smaller fragments, such as monosaccharides and oligosaccharides . Those fragments will undergo consecutive rapid dehydration to more reactive intermediates, which are capable of undergoing rapid conversion to coal-like material, i.e. coalification, in the second polymerization step.
• the reactive intermediates can also be referred to as "coal monomers".
• the dehydration of glucose to hydroxymethylfurfural is an example for such a dehydration reaction.
• These "coal monomers” are typically characterized by increased chemical reactivity towards intermolecular reactions, as compared to the raw biomass, e.g. via vinylic subunits, reactive aldehyde side groups, or activated hydroxymethyl groups onto furane moieties .
• the water being present in the reaction mixture of the first step may be water adhering or bound to the original biomass, which can also be referred to as "raw" biomass.
• the biomass to be subjected to the first step is also referred to as raw biomass.
• raw biomass may for instance be the biomass obtained as waste (e.g. wood, agricultural, municipal waste) from the provider, without further treatment, or as collected from natural sources.
• the raw wood biomass may be the wood collected in the forest (as the natural source) , or sawdust from the wood processing industry.
• the raw biomass can be used as such and with water contents as mentioned above.
• drying is not excluded, e.g. in order to reduce the weight and consequently the transportation costs, the (raw) biomass to be subjected to the process of the invention is preferably not dried. Consequently, the present invention allows avoiding the energy-consuming drying of the biomass.
• water may be added to the wet or dry biomass to adjust the water content in the reaction mixture of the first step.
• the water content in the reaction mixture of the first step is such that the solid fraction of the reaction mixture is 5 to 35%, more preferably 10 to 30%, especially 15 to 25% by weight. Such contents of solids will ensure that the reaction mixture can move easily in the column and preferably is in the form of slurry.
• reaction mixture comprising water and biomass to be subjected, to heating by contacting with steam in the first step
• the hydrothermal carbonisation process of the present invention can be carried out in water alone.
• Organic solvents such as ketones are unnecessary, and they are preferably omitted.
• the reaction mixture of the first step contains water as a single solvent, with other solvents such as ethanol only incidentially brought in by the biomass, e.g. by fermentation. Consequently, preferably at least 95 wt%, more preferably at least 98 wt% of the solvent present in the reaction mixture of the first step is water.
• the pH of the reaction mixture comprising biomass is preferably in the range of 3 to 7 , more preferably 4 to 6.
• An acidic pH of the reaction mixture comprising biomass to be heated by contacting with steam which is preferably within the above ranges, can be adjusted by adding suitable acids, which do not interfere with the activation of the biomass.
• suitable acids e.g. mineral acids, and organic acids can be used.
• the acid is preferably a strong acid, e.g. having a pK a of ⁇ 4.5.
• An example of a suitable mineral acid is phosphoric acid.
• Levulinic acid, oxalic acid, citric acid and formic acid are examples of (strong) organic acids. Particularly preferred is formic acid.
• the reaction mixture to be subjected to the first step which may e.g. comprise an acid in addition to the (raw) biomass and water, can be prepared in a suitable mixer, and is preferably pre-heated, e.g. to a temperature of at least 50 0 C.
• the particular reaction conditions in the first step may be selected appropriately.
• the duration of the activation step i.e. the residence time in the column internal section of the evaporation column for use in the present invention, may be shorter, and the pH less acidic than for polymeric biomass starting material.
• the heating temperature is not particularly limited, as long as it is sufficient to convert at least larger parts of the (raw) biomass to activated biomass as defined herein.
• the hydrothermal process is carried out in a pressure vessel, such as an evaporation column, wherein the temperature, i.e. the internal temperature, in the column is in the range of 200 to 250 0 C, preferably 210 to 25O 0 C and more preferably 220 to 250 0 C.
• the temperature is 210 to 250 0 C
• the pH value of the reaction mixture is acidic, especially 3 to 7 ,
• the (raw) biomass to be subjected to the first step may be used in any form. Preferably, however it is divided into an appropriate particle size prior to use, e.g. in the range of 0.1 to 20 mm, more preferably 0.3 to 10 mm, especially 0.5 to 5 mm. Suitable particle sizes such as those exemplified above can be obtained by methods such as grinding, chopping or sawing.
• the activated biomass present in the reaction mixture obtained in the first step comprises the products of the disintegration and/or dehydration of the starting "raw” biomass as detailed above, collectively referred to as “activated biomass” in the present specification.
• the activated biomass is subjected to polymerization to give coal-like material as defined above.
• the "activated biomass” produced in the first step will be polymerized in the second step, the "activated biomass” may in the alternative be referred to as "polymerizable biomass”.
• the "polymerization" which takes place in the second step is to be construed broadly and means any reaction of molecules of the activated biomass resulting in the built- up of larger molecules eventually yielding coal-like material.
• the polymerization may include chain-growth of the monomers and inter-chain ⁇ rosslinking.
• the methods of initiating the polymerization of the activated biomass to give coal-like material in the second step which preferably takes place in the swamp section of the vertically oriented evaporation column.
• the initiation can be achieved by exposure of the reaction mixture comprising activated biomass to radical-generating radiation, such as UV radiation, X-rays and ⁇ -rays.
• radical-generating radiation such as UV radiation, X-rays and ⁇ -rays.
• ultrasonic exposure of the reaction mixture can initiate the polymerization.
• the polymerization can be initiated by adding a polymerization initiator, and this is a preferred embodiment of the hydrothermai process of the invention.
• the polymerization initiator for use in the present invention is not specifically limited in kind, as long as it is suitable to initiate the polymerization of the activated biomass to the carbon-like material in the second step of the hydrothermai carbonization process of the present invention.
• the polymerization initiator is usually capable of generating radicals which will start the polymerization of the activated biomass to coal-like material.
• Useful polymerization initiators are for instance peroxides, peracids, oxygen, redox initiators and azo compounds, as well as suitable mixtures thereof.
• Useful peroxides are inorganic peroxides, e.g. persulfates such as potassium persulfate and ammonium persulfate; metal peroxides such as (C2H5 ) 2BOOC2H5 and compounds obtained by replacing the boron atom of (C2H5) 2BOOC2H5 with Al or Zn; organic peroxides, e.g., acyl peroxides such as benzoyl peroxide, alkyl peroxides such as t-butyl peroxide and cumyl peroxide, peroxy acid esters such as t-butyl peroxalate, or hydrogen peroxide.
• persulfates such as potassium persulfate and ammonium persulfate
• metal peroxides such as (C2H5 ) 2
• the oxygen may be supplied in the form of air.
• the redox initiator there may be used Fenton systems, copper salts (such as CUCI2 ) , FeCl3/H2(>2 or Fe ( III ) /formic acid.
• the azo compound may be azobisisobutyronitrile .
• air, peracids, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or Fe (III ) /formic acid are used as polymerization initiators to initiate in the hydrothermai process of the invention the polymerization of the activated biomass to give a reaction mixture comprising coal-like material,
• the solid phase comprised or consisting of the coal-like material can be separated from the reaction mixture, e.g. by filtration or decantation, preferably by filtration, while a liquid phase will remain.
• the separation is preceded by the completion of the polymerization in a separate reactor, which preferably is a conveyor screw reactor.
• the coal-like material can be dried.
• the inventive column comprises at least one mass transfer tray having a plurality of perforations, which provide exclusive means of communicating between the space above the mass transfer tray and the space below, and at least one upper rotor element being disposed above the mass transfer tray, wherein the upper rotor element is arranged so as to transfer a reaction mixture through the perforations to the space below the mass transfer tray.
• an efficient phase contact between the upward- flowing less viscous fluid (such as steam) and the down- flowing more viscous fluid ⁇ such as the reaction mixture comprising biomass ⁇ can be achieved.
• the transport of the reaction mixture from one mass transfer tray to an adjacent mass transfer tray is improved, compared to a column not using such a rotor element.
• the at least one mass transfer tray is preferably horizontally oriented, and the rotor shaft having at least one upper rocor element mounted thereon is preferably vertically oriented.
• the horizontal orientation of the at least one mass transfer tray covers the situation that the mass transfer tray(s) is/are slightly inclined from the absolute horizontal
• the vertical orientation of the rotor shaft covers the situation that the rotor shaft is slightly inclined from the absolute vertical. For instance, inclinations of ⁇ 30°, preferably ⁇ 15°, more preferably ⁇ 5° measured from the absolute horizontal and/or vertical are to be covered.
• first heat transfer mechanism via direct contact of the different fluid phases
• second heat transfer mechanism via contact of the more viscous fluid and heated mass transfer trays.
• the first heat transfer mechanism can also be referred to as a heating through direct condensation of the steam coming in contact with the biomass slurry. Further, the permeation characteristics of the more viscous fluid (e.g. the biomass slurry) , are improved.
• the at least one mass transfer tray is disposed horizontally within the housing.
• a horizontal arrangement of the mass transfer tray generally provides for long retention times and, thus, a satisfactory space- time-yield . Due to shorter retention times, conically arranged mass transfer trays are generally less preferred. However, it is also contemplated to use horizontally as well as conically arranged mass transfer trays. If, for example, a highly viscous fluid was used as the more viscous fluid, at an upper part of the column conicaily arranged mass transfer trays could be provided, whereas at a lower part of the column horizontally arranged mass transfer trays could be provided. The reason therefor is that the fluid tends to become less viscous from the upper to the lower part of the column.
• the respective retention times of the fluid on the mass transfer tray can be adjusted.
• the at least one mass transfer tray is heatable so as to allow for an efficient heat transfer between the mass transfer tray and the more viscous fluid present on the mass transfer tray.
• the shape of the perforations is generally not restricted.
• the perforations may have any geometric shape such as circular, elliptical, rectangular or polygonal.
• the perforations are provided in form of circular openings or slits.
• the perforations within the same mass transfer tray have the same diameter (area) and, if a plurality of mass transfer trays is provided, all mass transfer trays have perforations of the same diameter.
• the perforations are homogeneously distributed over the entire area of the respective mass transfer tray.
• the diameter of the perforations may vary within the same mass transfer tray and/or among different mass transfer trays provided in the column.
• a mass transfer tray having sections with perforations of relatively larger diameters and sections of relatively smaller diameters, to avoid clogging by larger particles so as to improve the operating stability of the column.
• the perforations having relatively larger diameters may be concentrated, preferably exclusively present in a sector of the mass transfer tray. Since the more viscous fluid is being continuously moved/ agitated by the upper rotor element, it can be ensured that also larger particles will be reliably transferred through the mass transfer tray, at least when passing over the sector, i.e. "tart piece" having relatively larger perforations.
• the perforations of a plurality of mass transfer trays within a column may also be preferable to design the perforations of a plurality of mass transfer trays within a column differently, in particular such that the diameter of the perforations decreases with increasing distance from the head of the column. Still further, the distribution of perforations and their diameter is 'adjusted such as to compensate for the rotational speed of the rotor element ⁇ s) varying along in the radial direction of the mass transfer tray, thus ensuring a constant flow of fluids over the entire tray.
• the diameter of the perforations is preferably in the range between 1 and 20 mm, more preferably in the range between 5 and 15 mm.
• the at least one upper rotor element may be mounted axially displaceable on the rotor shaft.
• the arrangement of the rotor element relative to the mass transfer tray i.e. the distance/height in which the rotor element is provided above the mass transfer plate, can be easily adjusted.
• the at least one upper rotor element may be axially fixed on the rotor shaft and blade and/or brushing elements, which will be described below, may be mounted axially displaceable on the rotor element.
• Such a distance/height adjustment may for instance be necessitated by varying operating conditions, which lead to a thermal expansion/contraction of column internal parts .
• the necessary pressure to press the upper rotor element (s) on the upper surface of a respective mass transfer tray, so as to pass the reaction mixture through the perforations in the tray, may either be achieved by the own weight of the rotor element or by means of a spring load.
• the respective upper rotor element is merely pressed by its own weight onto the upper surface of a respective mass transfer tray. If the pressing is to be achieved by means of a spring load, mounting of the rotor element (s) by means of a spring bearing is contemplated.
• the at least one rotor element is mounted radially fixed on the rotor shaft so that the rotor element will be rotated by rotation of the rotor shaft only.
• the at least one upper rotor element may be provided in form of a helical element, which is disposed above the mass transfer tray (first tray ⁇ and is arranged so as to transfer the reaction mixture through the perforations to the space below the mass transfer tray (first tray) .
• the helical element has such a size and shape so as to additionally scrape off the reaction mixture being transferred through perforations to the space below a further mass transfer tray (second tray), being positioned above the first tray.
• a single rotor element serves two purposes at once, namely to transfer the reaction mixture through the perforations of a first tray and to scrape off the reaction mixture previously transferred through the perforations of a second tray.
• a rotor element serving dual purposes is not limited to the above mentioned helical shape. Rather, such a rotor element may have any shape suitable to achieve transfer of the reaction mixture through the perforations of a first tray and scraping off of the reaction mixture previously transferred through the perforations of a second tray.
• the at least one upper rotor element comprises blade and/or brushing elements.
• the number and specific arrangement of blade and/or brushing elements on the rotor element is not limited, but can be varied according to the specific needs.
• blade elements comprises scraping/scratching/cleaning elements having a defined blade.
• brushing element comprises scraping/scratching/cleaning elements without a defined blade, such as a wire brush or steel wool.
• the blade and/or brushing elements may be mounted on the rotor elements fixedly or in a spring-loaded manner.
• the blade and/or brushing elements are mounted on the respective rotor element in a spring-loaded manner, such that the distance/height in which the respective blade and/ or brushing element is provided above a respective mass transfer tray may be automatically adjusted by setting a suitable pre-load of the spring.
• At least one additional lower rotor element may be provided which is mounted on the rotor shaft and is disposed below the mass transfer tray.
• the additional lower rotor element is arranged so as to scrape off the reaction mixture being transferred through the perforations to the space below the mass transfer tray.
• the mass transfer tray may be provided in form of a reversed fixed valve tray.
• the term "fixed valve tray” is known in the art and, therefore, an explanation thereof will be omitted.
• the term “reversed” in this context means a fixed valve tray which is arranged upside down, compared to the "normal” or “general” arrangement of fixed valve trays in which the valves are provided at the upper side of the respective tray being fixed in a column.
• At least one inner wall wiper may be provided inside the housing.
• the at least one inner wall wiper may be attached to the rotor shaft so as to rotate together with the rotor elements and pass along the inner periphery of the housing.
• Such an inner wall wiper may be provided to pass along directly on the periphery of the inner wall of the housing of the column, if the column internals are designed in an "open configuration". In such an open configuration, the mass transfer trays are directly fixed to the wall of the housing instead of being fixed to an extra housing of the column internal.
• such an inner wall wiper may be provided to pass along on the periphery of the inner wall of a column internal wall.
• the column internals comprise an extra housing and the mass transfer trays are fixed to the housing of the column internals instead of being directly fixed to the housing of the column.
• the inner wall wiper may be provided in form of a "plane cutter" so as to scrape along the inner periphery of the respective housing. Thereby, an overgrowth of the column in radial direction can be prevented.
• the inner wall wiper is arranged in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the column.
• the inner wall wiper is arranged obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the column to achieve an additional conveying ⁇ -p f ⁇ * Q t ⁇
• a column having the features as outlined above, may be used in a process for the preparation of coal-like material.
• the process for the preparation of coal-like material, in which the inventive column is used, may have the features as outlined above.
• Fig. 1 provides a schematic flow diagram showing a preferred mode of carrying out the hydrothermal process of the invention in a continuous mode.
• Fig. 2 shows a side view of an evaporation column for use in the hydrothermal process of the invention.
• Fig. 3 shows a side view of a column interior module.
• Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a column interior module .
• Figs. 1 - 4 The embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 - 4 is shown for illustration purposes only, and is by no means restricting the scope of the invention, which is defined in the appending claims.
• a reaction mixture comprising biomass and water in the form of a slurry having an elevated temperature of about 50 0 C, preferably about 80 0 C, is fed from an atmospheric vessel 200, which is optionally equipped with stirring means 201, to an excenter pump 210.
• the biomass slurry is fed into the head of the column 100 by the excenter pump 210 through an upper inlet 101.
• the column 100 has a length in the range of between 2 m to 3 m and a mean diameter of between 300 mm and 400 mm.
• Such a column 100 would then serve for the treatment of about 0.5 m ⁇ /h biomass having a solid content of between 15% and 25%.
• pressure and temperature are coupled by the vapour pressure curve of water .
• Typical internal temperatures within the column lie in the range of 200 0 C and 250 0 C with corresponding pressures between 16 and 40 bar. If the amount of biomass to be treated in the column 100 is about 0.5 m-Vh, we expect a steam assignment of between 100 and 200 kg/h, at a pressure of between 25 bar and 30 bar.
• the head pressure of the column 100 is controlled using an overflow valve 102, the set point of which is one of the core control parameters of the process. Furthermore a necessary purging of non-condensing side products like carbon dioxide or methane, as well as entrained air, is achieved by this removal of steam through the outlet 112.
• the biomass slurry is moving downwards the column parallel to the direction illustrated by arrow A counter-currently to steam rising upwards parallel to the direction illustrated by arrow B.
• the steam is preferably generated in the exothermic polymerization of the activated biomass in the swamp section 103 of column 100.
• additional pressurized steam can be introduced into the column through a lower inlet 108. Since the slurry is sub-cooled with regard to the pressurized steam an effective transfer of heat is achieved by condensation of steam, leading to an intense heating of the slurry. This leads to elevated temperatures, initiating the activation of the biomass in the reaction mixture as a first step of the hydrothermal carbonization.
• the required phase contacting efficiency is achieved by appropriate column internals 10a, 10b, 20.
• These internals 10a, 10b, 20 can be classical distillation trays like sieve or fixed valve trays, as well as tilted constructions like baffle plates or disc and donut setups.
• the column 100 is a column in accordance with the present invention, i.e. comprising at least one rotor shaft 5 and at least one rotor element 10a, 10b.
• a residence time of the slurry within the process section 105 of 3-5 minutes is achieved to allow for sufficient activation of the biomass.
• the "residence time" is defined as described above.
• the polymerization of the activated biomass to give coal-like material takes place.
• the design is that of a continuously stirred tank reactor or a cascading reactor with a residence time of several minutes.
• the liquid level, and consequently the residence time, can be adjusted using a control valve 106.
• control valve 106 For instance, commercially available control valves known from the paper industry can be used.
• the initiation of the polymerization of the activated biomass to give coal-like material can be achieved e.g. by exposure to radical-generating radiation or ultrasound, this is accomplished in the process shown in Fig. 1 by adding a polymerization initiator. This is symbolised by arrow C.
• the polymerization initiator is fed through one or several injection nozzles ⁇ not shown) into the boiling slurry accommodated in the swamp section 103.
• the polymerization of the activated biomass to coal-like material is strongly exothermic. Due to the pressure limitation by the overflow valve 102 at the column's 100 head this leads to a boiling of the slurry and a partial evaporation of water.
• the controlled initiation of the polymerization prevents a later uncontrolled self- ignition of the reactor 100 with a potential runaway scenario.
• the flow of the polymerization initiator from the dosage pump (not shown) is preferably controlled in a way that the amount of latent heat transported with the rising steam is slightly surpassing the heat requirements of the biomass activation.
• externally driven stirring means 110 driven by a motor 111 can ensure good homogeneity of the slurry and good dispersion of the initiator and can prevent sedimentation and formation of hot spots.
• the swamp section 103 of the column 100 is equipped with one or more steam injection valves 109.
• pressurized steam of the desired reaction temperature is injected into the slurry.
• the process of hydrothermal carbonization is energetically, and through the chosen process design also exergecically, self-sustained. Consequently an additional injection of steam may be only required during process start-up operations.
• additional steam can also be injected after the process start-up operations have been completed.
• the steam required for this can be taken from a local pressurized steam supply (not shown) or from a steam generator (not shown) .
• the flow rate through the steam injection valve 109 is controllable in order to allow for a smooth transition into the stable operation mode.
• a substantial application of energy from the outside takes place during a scare phase, and up to a process level attaining substantially stable conditions, such as steam pressure in the column 100 or the like.
• substantially stable process conditions may be achievable within a few minutes after initiating the activation process, it may, however, be preferable to support the running process from outside over a longer period of time, up to about 30 minutes.
• the activated biomass exits the column 100 via the exhaust port 104 and is fed through the valve 106 into a process section 300 disposed downstream, in which the polymerization of activated biomass to coal-like material can be completed.
• Core element of this section is a horizontal conveyor screw reactor 250 that is designed as a pressure vessel, The screw reactor 250 implements a residence time of the slurry, which is preferably in the range of 20 to 120 minutes, more preferably in the range of 60 co 90 minutes.
• the pressure within the screw reactor 250 is lower than in the evaporation column 100.
• a limitation of temperature can be achieved by controlling the pressure within the vapour volume.
• the temperature within the conveyor screw reactor is preferably in the range of 160 to ⁇ 200 0 C ⁇ at a corresponding pressure of 6 to 15 bar) , and it is more preferably in the range of 170 to 190 0 C.
• a pressure of approximately 10 bar with a respective evaporation temperature of 18O 0 C may be set here.
• the ratio between the diameter and length (aspect ratio) of the conveyor screw reactor 250 may for instance be in a range of 1:5 to 1:15 and is more preferably in the range of 1:10 to 1:14.
• the degree of filling of the screw reactor 250 may be in the range of 20 to 50%.
• the aspect ratio as defined above may be about 1:12 at a degree of filling from 20 to 50%.
• the reactor 250 may have a diameter of 700 mm and a length of 7000 mm.
• the pressure is substantially constant over the length of the screw reactor 250, i.e. there is no pressure gradient. That means the relative variation of pressure over the length of the reactor 250 is preferably ⁇ 5%, more preferably ⁇ 2%.
• the slurry is expanded via the control valve 106 of the liquid level control into a gas/liquid phase separator 260, either using a special distribution device or directly into the open vessel volume.
• this separator 260 is equipped with special inserts 261 for droplet removal.
• the pressure in the screw reactor 250 and the separator vessel 260 can be controlled by an overflow valve 263 at the head of the separator vessel 260.
• the flashing of the already boiling slurry into this lower pressure or subsequent process section 300 effects a partial evaporation of the water contained in the slurry and consequently generation of steam as well as a minor thickening of the slurry and a cooling down of the slurry to the local evaporation temperature.
• the separator vessel 260 can be designed as an independent vessel or as a superstructure of the screw reactor 250.
• the slurry is transported continuously from one end to the other parallel to the direction illustrated by arrow D, realizing the required time of residence as well as a narrow residence time distribution.
• the delivery rate can either be controlled by the filling level of the screw reactor 250 or by a sufficiently high fixed rotation speed of its screw 251,
• the vapor space of the separator 260 and the screw reactor 250 can be connected, e.g. via a conduit 265.
• cooling elements can be installed in the vapour space.
• a condensing heat exchanger 252 can be coupled to the vapour space.
• a liquid distribution device (not shown) can be installed within the vapour volume. Heat of reaction removed this way can be utilized elsewhere.
• the total steam production in process section 300 can be monitored using a mass flow meter (not shown) in the steam line, for instance behind the overflow valve 263.
• a coupling of the vapour space of screw reactor 250 and separator vessel 260 is implemented via a dedicated conduit 265, an optional mass flow control can be provided in that conduit 265 so as to control the evaporation through the heat of reaction.
• the slurry comprising coal-like material can be taken out from the screw reactor 250 (as symbolized by arrow E) , and for instance be fed to a buffer vessel ⁇ not shown) .
• the hydrothermal carbonization is an exothermic process.
• the majority of the reaction heat is transported out of the process in form of sensible and latent heat of steam.
• These heat streams have temperature levels such that they can be economically utilized for a variety of purposes.
• column internals 50 as outlined in detail below with regard to Figs. 2 to 4 will be utilized in the evaporation column for use in the hydrothermal process of the invention.
• Fig. 2 shows a side view of an evaporation column 100 which is used for the HTC-process described above.
• the inventive column 100 comprises a housing 70 in which a plurality of column internals 50 is arranged.
• three column internals 50a - 50c are arranged coaxially aligned on upon the other inside the column housing 70, however, the number of the column internals 50 is not limited hereto.
• the respective column internals 50a - 50c may be attached to the column housing 70 by means of flange mountings 56.
• the uppermost column internal 50a may be mounted/ suspended in the column 100 by mounting of the flange 56 e.g. on a projection (not shown) inside the housing 70.
• the further/lower column internals 50b, 50c may then be suspended by being screwed to the respective upper column internal 50. It is also contemplated to stack the respective column internals 50a - 50c one on top of the other inside the column housing 70. These stacked column internals 50a - 50c may then e.g. be screwed to one another so as to fix their arrangement relative to each other. As a further alternative, respective column internal housings 52 may be shaped such that the position of one column internal housing 52a - 52c relative to an adjacent column internal housing 52 may be fixed without using additional attachment means, e.g. by providing the housings 52 with different external diameters which allow for an insertion, for instance by press fitting of one housing 52 with another one. However, the way of mounting of the column internals 50a - 50c is not limited to the above and any suitable way of mounting may be employed, depending on the respective needs.
• each of these module-like column internals comprises four sieve plates 20a - 2Od, and eight corresponding helically shaped rotor elements 10 a pair of which is each allocated to the respective sieve plates 20a - 2Od.
• the column 100 Disposed in a downstream direction of the upper section 105 parallel to the arrow A, the column 100 comprises a steam section 90 providing for a buffer region above the swamp, and preventing a contact of the slurry swamp with the lowermost sieve plate 20a of column internal 50c.
• This buffer region 90 allows for an undisturbed performance of the entire column 100 even if the amount of slurry within the swamp differs during the process of the invention.
• this buffer section 90 allows for the operation of distinct measuring elements for detecting, inter alia, the temperature or pressure within the column 100, or for the operation of safety features such as relief valves or bursting disks.
• Stxrring means 80 are disposed within the swamp section 103 of the column 100 below the slurry surface 121.
• these stirring means 80 draw in the slurry in an axial direction and discharge the drawn-in slurry in a radial direction.
• the stirring means are as described in D ⁇ -A-100 50 030 or DE-U-200 17 328. This ensures a good dispersion of any initiator within the slurry, and prevents the formation of sedimentation or hot spots in the slurry.
• Both stirring means 80 are mounted on a common shaft 81 driven by a separate motor ⁇ not shown) .
• the stirring means 80 are fixed to the rotor shaft 5 extending through the entire column 100. If there are two (or more) stirring means 80, an optional perforated disc 82 can be provided between each pair of them with the purpose of facilitating ⁇ he formation of a convection zone for each stirring means. Any polymerization initiator can be introduced in the slurry through inlets 83, four of which are shown in Fig. 2. The positioning of the inlets 83 is not particularly limited, but is preferably done in accordance with uhe desired flow pattern within the swamp section .
• each column internal (mass transfer segment) 50a - c comprises four mass transfer trays 20a - d.
• the mass transfer trays 20 are "dual- flow" trays in which a more viscous fluid passes through perforations 22 in the trays 20 in a downward direction parallel to arrow A while a less viscous fluid passes upwardly through the same perforations 22 in a direction parallel to arrow B.
• the term dual-flow tray refers to column trays having perforations to which a less viscous fluid and a more viscous fluid pass counter- currently.
• Such trays 20 generally have a plurality of perforations 22 which provide exclusive means of communicating between the space above the mass transfer tray 20 and the space below.
• the mass transfer trays 20 are provided in form of sieve plates 20a - 2Od having circular perforations 22 ail of the same size, by analogy to a classical weirless perforated tray column.
• the mass transfer trays 20 are arranged horizontally within the column 100.
• the trays 20 are mounted via mounting elements 54 to a column internal wall or housing 52. If such column internal housing 52 is not provided, which is herein termed an "open configuration", the trays 20 may be mounted directly to the column housing 70.
• the mounting elements 54 these may be provided in form of projections to which the respective mass transfer trays 20 may be attached e.g. by screwing or welding.
• Fig. 3 shows a module-like structure of a column internal 50, and at least the upper section 105 of the column 100 can house two or more such modules.
• the upper section 103 of the column 100 is composed of two or more modules 50 being mounted on top of each other, and further contained by a common rotor shaft 5.
• Each mass transfer tray 20 comprises a centrally arranged rotor shaft opening 7 through which a rotor shaft 5 passes.
• the rotor shaft 5 can be provided in one piece, passing through all three column internals 50, or may be segmented if this should be necessary, e.g. due to an easier mounting in a limited space inside the column 100.
• the rotor shaft 5 is provided in the form of a hexagonal shaft.
• the shape of the rotor shaft 5 is not limited hereto and can be any suitable shape, such as e.g. round or square.
• the rotor shaft 5 is provided with a foot bearing (not shown) which may e.g. be designed as an intermediate flange foot bearing.
• the foot bearing may be lubricated directly by the reaction mixture. This foot bearing is provided to absorb axial loads.
• the rotor shaft 5 is being rotated mechanically, e.g. by means of a mechanical drive such as an electric motor (not shown) .
• the rotor shaft 5 is lead out of the pressure vessel (column) 100 and is connected to the electric motor outside the column 100.
• the rotor shaft 5 terminates in a profiled journal (power-take-off) (not shown) .
• a lid of the column (not shown) comprises a feed- through for the rotor shaft 5, which may be either provxded directly, e.g. in form of a gland (not shown) , or indirectly, e.g. in form of a magnetic clutch (not shown) .
• Inside the pressure vessel 100 follows the counterpart of the profiled journal, which is being inserted during mounting of the lid. Outside the pressure vessel 100, i.e. on the atmospheric side of the column 100, follows the mechanical drive (not shown) .
• the rotor shaft 5 comprises attaching means for rotor elements 10, which may serve as conveying, scraping and/or stirring elements.
• upper rotor elements 10a and lower rotor elements 10b are provided, each having a helical form.
• one upper rotor element 10a is provided above each tray 20 and one lower rotor element 10b is provided below each tray 20, so that one upper rotor element 10a and one lower rotor element 10b are respectively provided in between two adjacent mass transfer trays 20.
• the number and shape of the rotor elements 10, however, is not limited to the number and shape shown in Figures 2 to 4 , but can be any suitable number and shape.
• the upper rotor elements 10a are arranged so as to transfer the reaction mixture through perforations 22 to the space below (in the direction parallel to arrow A) a respective mass transfer tray 20, whereas the lower rotor elements 10b are arranged so as to scrape off the reaction mixture having been transferred through perforations 22 to the space below a respective mass transfer tray 20.
• the upper rotor elements 10a serve as scraping elements for passing the reaction mixture through the perforations 22 , analogous to the principle of "passevite" .
• the upper rotor elements 10a serve to keep the reaction mixture in motion and to convey the reaction mixture to the next mass transfer tray 20.
• the lower rotor elements 10b serve as scraping elements for scraping off the reaction mixture from the bottom of a respective mass transfer tray 20 thereby increasing the operating efficiency of the column 100.
• Both rotor elements 10a, 10b may be provided in the form of blade and/or brushing elements, i.e. elements either having a defined blade or elements without a defined blade, such as a wire brush or steel wool.
• further tools may be provided on the rotor shaft 5.
• stirring elements may be provided to improve the phase contact between the biomass and the vapour.
• Blade-, scraping- and brushing elements may also be provided to clean the faces of the mass transfer trays 20 from carbon layers depositing on the faces of the trays 20, to avoid a decrease in efficiency of these faces as heat exchange faces.
• a HTC-process such as the hydrothermal process for thepreparation of coal-like material in accordance with the present invention, can be conducted in the column 100 as follows.
• the reaction mixture comprising biomass is fed through an upper inlet 58 and is conveyed by means of the upper rotor elements 10a through the perforations 22 of a first tray 20 to a second tray 20, which is disposed below the first tray 20.
• the column 100 is operated as a classical "counter-current column” and functions particularly well for relatively high bulk height of several centimetres, which is preferable for the required retention times so as to efficiently operate the column 100.
• the heat transfer occurs through the trays 20, apart from the direct heating of the reaction mixture comprising biomass by contacting with the steam.
• the trays 20 are preferably made of high thermal conductivity material.

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• 2010
  • 2010-02-09 CA CA2751545A patent/CA2751545A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2010-02-09 BR BRPI1008182A patent/BRPI1008182A2/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2010-02-09 US US13/148,778 patent/US20120000120A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2010-02-09 RU RU2011132925/04A patent/RU2011132925A/ru unknown
  • 2010-02-09 WO PCT/EP2010/051554 patent/WO2010092040A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2010-02-09 AU AU2010212967A patent/AU2010212967A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2010-02-09 EP EP10702711.2A patent/EP2396392B1/en active Active
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